Hedgehog Friendly Campus Award

Posted on 22 January 2020

They’re cute, incredibly reclusive and one of the nation’s most loved animals. So, it’s a pleasure to announce that the University of York has achieved the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Bronze Award.

Hedgehog friendly campus bronze award

Following months of work, we’ve seen the creation of the “Hedgehogs on Campus” volunteer group, the rescue of three hedgehogs (named Pindsvin, Clyde and Connie) and the addition of hedgehog crossing signs on campus.

The Hedgehog Friendly Campus Scheme is run by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, and encourages teams of staff and students to participate annually.

In early 2019 the UoY Grounds Maintenance Manager, Gordon Eastham, was contacted by Professor Nia Bryant from the Department of Biology about the possibility of making the University a hedgehog friendly campus.

Since then the team have been busy making and putting out hibernacula around campus, litter picking, carrying out survey work and habitat creation measures, as well as working closely with Kathleen Lloyd-Bradford who runs Stillingfleet Hedgehog Rescue and Green Vets in Acomb.

Staff in the grounds team have also made several feeding stations supplementing natural food sources and capturing footage of hedgehogs on trail cams as part of the survey process, creating a haven on campus for these prickly little mammals.

A big well done and congratulations to the University of York “Hedgehog on Campus” volunteer group.

Watch a video to find out how the scheme works.

Follow the University of York Hedgehog Society on Facebook or on Instagram